Arjen Lubach is not happy that Theo Maassen is being spared by their employer VPRO, thinks media critic Victor Vlam. “After all, he measures everyone himself.”
According to Victor Vlam, it is unbelievable that the VPRO has still not distanced itself from Theo Maassen, whose wife Joyce indicates that he commits domestic violence and broke her nose. The evidence is overwhelming, the media expert said. “I think that silence is really deafening now.”
What does Lubach think?
Arjen Lubach, the big star of the VPRO, will not be happy with this, according to Victor. “I can imagine that other stars of the VPRO would also like their employers to do something with this. Arjen Lubach is of course also someone who takes everyone in his program in a humorous tone.”
He continues The Communicados: “Yes, then it is not nice if your own employer protects someone who is accused in a very credible manner, so to speak, of domestic violence. So all the stars of the VPRO will probably appreciate more action from their employers.”
Very difficult
According to Victor, it is clear that Theo cannot continue as presenter of Zomergasten. “I honestly find it really difficult to see how he can present that program again with these serious allegations and have conversations about these types of topics with guests.”
He continues: “You can’t measure people if you have no moral authority at all, so yes: I find that very difficult. I think that silence is really deafening now.”
Without reservation
If Theo’s alleged misconduct had not been made public by Privé, but by De Volkskrant, he would of course have been put out on the street immediately. Yet, according to Victor, this is not a standard article from a gossip magazine. “First of all, that is because the allegation is made without any reservations.”
And that indicates that the Private really has very hard evidence. “Really explicit evidence is also included. There is an extensive exchange of many words in the hands of the journalist in question. This is used to substantiate this and eventually a kind of confession from Theo Maassen was added in the second article about it.”
Silenced
Ratings authority Tina Nijkamp has the feeling that Theo is being held over his head. “Certainly, because of course he actually admits it himself in those apps. Then I think it will be a different story. I think the VPRO should do something with it. Jan Slagter said at Humberto that no one said anything about it at a meeting.”
She continues The Friday Move: “I find that striking, that I thought: this is also being kept silent. I think that the VPRO should come out with a statement, or that you should say: ‘We support this, we believe in Theo and we are doing it.’ But the best thing would of course be if Theo himself canceled.”